Orland Park Mayor Touts Retail Progress, Public Safety Initiatives in State of the Village Address

Mayor Dodge highlights key successes in his first year, including retail development, intergovernmental collaboration, and enhanced police staffing.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A serene, painterly depiction of a single retail storefront in Orland Park, Illinois, with warm lighting and deep shadows, capturing the town's balance between commercial progress and community identity.As Orland Park continues its retail-driven growth, the mayor emphasizes the need to preserve the town's small-town character and community values.Orland Park Today

In his State of the Village address, Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge reflected on the town's retail growth, from its roots as a pig farm to attracting major e-commerce developments. Dodge touted progress in public safety, including increased police staffing and a shift to 12-hour officer shifts. The mayor also emphasized the importance of collaboration with other government entities and incorporating resident feedback into decision-making.

Why it matters

As a retail-dominant suburb, maintaining a healthy commercial environment is crucial to Orland Park's success. The mayor's focus on public safety, infrastructure, and community engagement signals an effort to balance growth aspirations with respect for the town's roots and the needs of its 60,000 residents.

The details

Dodge highlighted key retail developments, including the arrival of a Dick's Sporting Goods House of Sport and a Weber Grill restaurant at Orland Square Mall. He also noted the village's decision to dissolve a TIF district four years early, putting a $60 million property back on the tax rolls. To enhance public safety, Orland Park has increased police staffing and shifted to 12-hour officer shifts, which Dodge said has led to more traffic stops and positive feedback from the force.

  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge was elected in April 2025, unseating the previous mayor.
  • The Main Street Triangle TIF district was set to expire in 2029, but the village decided to dissolve it four years early.

The players

Jim Dodge

The current mayor of Orland Park, Illinois, who was elected in 2025 and is highlighting key successes in his first year in office.

Keith Pekau

The former mayor of Orland Park, who was defeated by Jim Dodge in the 2025 election.

Orland Park

A suburb of Chicago, Illinois, with a population of around 60,000 residents. Orland Park is known for its retail-dominant economy and is working to balance growth with community needs.

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What they’re saying

“We've come a long way as a town”

— Jim Dodge, Mayor of Orland Park

“If you're running a town like Orland Park, you have to be cognizant of where you came from. And Orland Park has been on this retail glide path for a long time.”

— Jim Dodge, Mayor of Orland Park

“We're going to enhance public safety. That was number one. We're going to start aligning our resources with the community's desired service levels.”

— Jim Dodge, Mayor of Orland Park

What’s next

The village plans to continue focusing on local quality of life, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development in 2026. Officials will also work to better engage with nonprofits, the Chamber of Commerce, and residents through new advisory committees.

The takeaway

Orland Park's mayor is working to balance the town's retail-driven growth with the needs and priorities of its residents. By investing in public safety, collaborating with other government entities, and soliciting community feedback, the administration aims to maintain Orland Park's status as a thriving suburb while preserving its small-town character.